A question for those of you with autoimmune issues post-pe. After Alex was born in 2008, I would ocassionally have splinter hemorrhages in my fingernails, but not on a regular basis. After an unplanned miscarriage last summer, I've started having regular bp spikes, splinter hemorrhages, and joint pain on a monthly basis during my period. Anyone have this pattern or recognize the symptoms? I'm in very good shape physically, and yet my Dr. wants to put me on bp meds and stop the discussion there. I'm 34! I think he is missing something major - an autoimmune disorder perhaps. For my next appointment, I want to show up with literature to back up my point of view and an idea of how I want to proceed (see a rheumi, for example), instead of just throwing my hands up and accepting medication. I had a lupus and APA antibody pannel done in 2008, and it was clean.
Thanks for any thoughts.

I don't know about splinter hemorrhages, but have you ever had a thrombophilia panel run? I'm assuming as part of your panels they tested your ANA levels?

I used to have leg pain during my periods (and at other random times) but the leg pain went away after starting thyroid meds.

More recently, I experienced some fatigue and achiness due to my vitamin D levels being below range.

I also noticed post-partum that I'm sensitive to salt in my diet, and eating out would raise my BP (due to ingesting more salt than cooking from scratch at home). My favorite places to eat out are Mexican and sushi restaurants (definitely not low salt choices!).

Not that this is the case for you, but I wanted to mention it as a possibility just in case.

My BP does go up during my period (but you knew that) and I have had achey joint pain (particularly in my hips) on & off. I did get a whole RA/lupus & a bunch of other stuff done last summer & a couple things came back raised (speckled ANA markers??) but nothing definite. I did find out I was low in vitamin D & that my potassium was off. But mine didn't tie in with my period - only the higher BP did.

I think a rheumi would be a good idea. If it's just occasional spikes BP meds don't seems like the best plan & it doesn't address the other issues. (((HUGS))) It's so hard not feeling "right" when you've got little ones.

Thank you ladies for your responses. I know a lot of people talk about a bout of preelcampsia 'unmasking' other things going on in their bodies. I will take the vitamin D, thyroid, and thrombophilia suggestions and have these checked - I have not in the past.